September 7, 2003, (Lugano, SUI) – On the rider's personal website, Filip Meirhaeghe (Specialized, Belgium) lists being World Champion as his top dream goal. Today, the talented rider, or “Popeye” as some close friends like to call him, realized his dream.

Meirhaeghe secured his title today after a gap of over 45 seconds separated him from his closest rival, Canada's Ryder Hesjedal (Subaru/Gary Fisher). Hesjedal chased on for second place, (at his first worlds as a senior elite) and Belgium's Roel Paulissen (Siemens/Cannondale) hung on for third place.

Canadian Chris Sheppard (Har0/Lee Dungarees) was the next best Canadian, rolling in with a 16th place finish. Roland Green (Trek/Volkwagen), last year's World Champ, was 19th. Other Canadian results including Geoff Kabush's (Kona) 28th place, Peter Wedge (Kona) in 31st, Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mt.) in 57th and Mathieu Toulouse (Gears) in 68th in the 106-rider field.

Elite Men's results:
1. Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL) 2:25:02.00
2. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) 2:25.48.00
3. Roel Paulissen (BEL) 2:26.54.00
4. Ralph Naef (SUI) 2:27:43.00
5. Bas Peters (NED) 2:27:53.00

Canadians:

16. Chris Sheppard, 2:33:43
19. Roland Green, 2:35:09.00
28. Geoff Kabush, 2:38:12.00
31. Peter Wedge, 2:39:00.00
57. Andreas Hestler, -2 laps
68. Mathieu Toulouse, -3 laps